funicello. The american sweetheart in mickey mouse ears who so many singing along with her for years passed away monday at 70 years old leaving behind an unforgettable legacy. &#9834; M-o-u-s-e &#9834; long before justin, ryan and christina, she was the original mouseketeer. &#9834; If you're at a party &#9834; Reporter: At the tender age of 12 newcomer annette funicello became a household name. &#9834; Time to twist &#9834; Reporter: Rising to superstardom in the disney variety show "the mickey mouse club." Are we or are we not going to play tennis? Reporter: Transitioning to the big screen. &#9834; Beach party tochts &#9834; Reporter: She was alongside frankie avalon in a string of beach films but left hollywood to focus on her family and was then diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 1987. Lots of times the paralysis is temporary or the eyesight will come back. So you can never give up hope. Reporter: On monday avalon released a statement saying "she will live on forever. I will miss her and the world will miss her." Annette funicello will be remembered for capturing the hearts and imaginations of viewers young and old. Real soon &#9834; &#9834; k-e-y &#9834; why, because we like you.

This transcript has been automatically generated and may not be 100% accurate.

{"id":18912566,"title":"Mouseketeer, Movie Star Annette Funicello Dies at 70","duration":"1:50","description":"The actress who got her start as a mouseketeer at age 12 died of complications from MS.","url":"/GMA/video/annette-funicello-dead-mouseketeer-star-beach-movies-dies-18912566","section":"GMA","mediaType":"Default"}